GENERAL Planning. This section serves as a guide for those who are concerned with the design and construction of platforms for drilling@ developing and storage of hydrocarbons in offshore areas. Adequate planning should be done before actual design is started in order to obtain a workable and economical offshore platform to perform a given function. The initial planning should include the determination of all criteria upon which the design of the platform will be based. Design Criteria. Design criteria as used herein include all operational requirements and environmental data which could affect the detailed design of the platform. Codes and Standards. This publication has incorporated and made maximum use of existing codes and standards which have been found acceptable for engineering design and practices from the standpoint of public safety.